A graveside service and burial for Robert Lindemann, age 91, of Rushmore, MN was held on July 21, 2020 officiated by the Rev. David McDonald. A period for celebration of his life is scheduled at the Adrian Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, from 4-6:30 p.m. with a service at 6:30 p.m. Robert passed away on the evening of July 14, 2020. He was born on February 3, 1929 to Christian and Mabel (Kelm) Lindemann of Rushmore, MN. Robert was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Rushmore where he was a member at the time of God’s calling him to glory.
Robert proudly and honorably served in the Korean War from 1951-1952 as part of the Minnesota National Guard. The men from his unit who went were selected locally by lottery; Robert was not selected but he and a friend volunteered to go in the place of two others who were recently married. He spoke little of his Korean experience until the early 2000s when he began to speak of both the horrendous events and the humorous events. He enjoyed mementoes brought back from Korea by two sons who had occasion to travel there with their work and he was very appreciative of expressions of thanks for his service by elected officials from both Korea and Minnesota. Robert was recognized by the Atlanta Korean Consulate and awarded Medals for his Service during the Korean War and an Official Proclamation recognizing him as an “AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE” by the Republic of Korea in 2016.
Robert married Marlys Groenewold on October 9, 1953. They farmed south of Rushmore and were blessed with six children. In the early 1980’s he left farming and, for a period of time, had a commodity office in Luverne, MN before he and Marlys eventually moved to Brandon, FL where he sold real estate, and then to Sahuarita, AZ before returning in the late 1990’s to MN and retiring on their home farm where he was living at the time of his death.
The self-sacrifice and love he exhibited by volunteering for Korea were also evident throughout his life in his care for his wife and children and his desire to never be a burden to them. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him dearly. Because of our faith, we rejoice in the promise of eternal life and know he was met by our Heavenly Father and reunited with Marlys, Rochelle, and many family members who together have placed their trust in Jesus Christ and have gone before him to join the cloud of heavenly witnesses. One day we will all be together again.
Robert is survived by five children, son, Merlin (Susan) Lindemann of Nicholasville, KY, their children, Stephen (Amanda) Lindemann of NYC, NY, and David (Jenn) Lindemann of Wilmore, KY; daughter, Sherry Lindemann of Kimball, SD and her children, Megan (Charles) Gregerson of Kimball, SD and son, Christian, (Chris) Holler of Alexandria, MN; son, Bruce Lindemann of Sioux Falls, SD and son, Ty, of Luverne, MN; son, Brian Lindemann of Sioux Falls, SD; and son,Craig (Elizabeth) Lindemann of LaGrange, GA and their children, Joshua (Heather) Lindemann of Prattville, AL and Ashley (CJ) Fogle of Prattville, AL; thirteen great-grandchildren, Caroline, John, Elizabeth, Simeon, Ransom, Saya, Kyrie, Risa, Abel, Jubilee, Emma, Sawyer, and Bella; sisters, Arlene (Richard) Nehring, Verna (Mike) Wiertzema, Lorna (Eldon “Babe”) Kruse; and sister-in-law, Twyla Lindemann.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Marlys; parents; brother, Roger; daughter, Rochelle (Chelle) in 1979; parents-in-law, Ubbe and Anna Groenewold; and sister-in-law and her husband, Albert and Lorraine Jacobs.
Adrian Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
